What are growing churches doing? And what are flat or declining churches not doing? That’s what you’ll see in this brief summary of the 8 breakthrough findings revealed. (NOTE: To our knowledge this is the first major assessment done on church marketing.)

So let’s jump right in!

Finding #1: 86% percent of rapidly growing churches said they have a lead pastor that prioritizes connecting with Millennials.

This was one of the biggest findings from the assessment about rapidly growing churches. In fact, it may actually be the most lopsided finding in all the data.

Many pastors find it difficult to connect with Millennials. Have you ever felt this way? Yet you also know the importance of reaching the next generation to advance the church. These 4 tips will help. Click here to watch video #1 and hear the 4 tips.

This starts with their website and continues through their weekend services and any outreaches. These churches know the value in acquiring contact information. For them it’s the beginning stages of developing a relationship with people.

Even if people don’t attend your church right away, having their contact information is the perfect way for you to begin helping them get to know what your church is all about.

This mindset runs counter-intuitive to traditional church thinking. In the past, churches focused on collecting contact information of those who are members or attendees of the church.

Today, attending church is no longer the main priority for people’s weekend events. Growing churches have shifted their thinking. They know they need to meet people where they are, and that begins with being able to connect with people.

(NOTE: Want to reach even more people? The training provided in Church Marketing University helps you develop a system to regularly see new families visit your church. For preferred enrollment, click to jump onto the Wait-List for this fall’s CMU opening. Click here to learn more)

Finding #3: 84% of churches do not have a kids pre-registration system.

In marketing terms this is the biggest missed opportunity in the church world today! Providing an opportunity for guests to register their kids for church online prior to their visit will make a massive difference.

In video #2 of the Your Marketing Breakthrough series we explain why this is so important and what it could look like for your church.

Finding #4: Growing churches budget 3% or more for marketing efforts.

We know your church budget is extremely tight, and spending money on marketing sometimes feels like the last thing a church should do.

Most churches do a “hope strategy” for their marketing. They spend money on a mailer, radio spot, Facebook ad or other media and just hope people will come to their church from it, but they don’t know if it is actually working because they do not measure it.

Growing churches measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts and that helps them know where to invest future resources to reach the most people.

Finding #7: Growing churches have a brand or style guide to help keep everyone on mission.

Have you ever found it difficult keeping everyone on the same page? These same challenges exist with design, print pieces and digital images …

… but leaders know in order to sustain momentum they have to keep everyone on the same page — including branding. Growing churches are using tools that help clarify the vision for everyone and brand / style guide helps them do that in a coherent way.

Finding #8: Growing churches have 5 positive Google Reviews.

After assessing 2,014 churches, nearly half of all pastors are not sure what this really means.

(NOTE: Want to reach even more people? The training provided in Church Marketing University helps you develop a system to regularly see new families visit your church. For preferred enrollment, click to jump onto the Wait-List for this fall’s CMU opening. Click here to learn more)

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